Tuesday, February 13 is vital for re-claiming the Santa Ana River Trail (SART) for use and enjoyment by the public.

County of Orange enforcement efforts have reduced the number of tents in the SART homeless camp by 41% since January 22. Radical homeless advocates are suing in federal court to stop that effort and prevent the County and the cities of Anaheim, Orange and Costa Mesa from enforcing anti-camping and loitering laws on the SART and in city parks.

Judge David O. Carter has called a hearing for February 13th to rule on whether to grant these injunctions. The homeless advocates will be there. Judge Carter also needs to hear from us, the residents, business owners and employees whose neighborhoods, workplaces, safety and quality of life are being harmed by this sprawling encampment.

The hearing is open to the public and begins at 8:00 a.m. in Courtroom 9D on the 9th floor of the Ronald Reagan Federal Building, United States Courthouse, 411 West Fourth Street in Santa Ana.

If you can not attend, please e-mail Judge Carter at:
***Doc_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov*** (you must remove asterisks, and make sure you copy the ENTIRE email address. Clicking the email will not work due to a hyperlink issue, which will cut off the end of the email address)

Email subject line: I support the riverbed cleanup

If you can make it, be respectful and to the point, especially with real-world examples of the negative impacts of the SART camps. Emphasize the importance of allowing our local governments to enforce the law in tandem with offering assistance.

We should help the homeless achieve self-reliance and dignity – if they are willing to accept the help being offered. Sanctioning tent cities is counter-productive, and exempting some from laws the rest of us must obey is unfair and unjust.

For additional information regarding what’s going on, please see this recent article from the O.C Register.

Please also feel free to post the petition URL, to your own social media accounts. URL here.

Santa Ana, Calif. (February 9, 2018) – Below please find updates on the environmental remediation project that required the County of Orange to temporarily close a portion of the Santa Ana River Trail from Memory Lane/Garden Grove Boulevard in Orange to Taft Avenue/Ball Road in Anaheim beginning January 22.

Project Status Updates:

Debris Removed (Jan. 22 – Feb. 5): Approximately 115.94 tons

Needles Removed (Jan. 22 – Feb. 5): Approximately 4,065 needles

Arrests Made (Jan. 22 – Feb. 9): 79 arrests

Individuals Referred/Transported by the County to Shelter (Jan. 22 – Feb. 5): 27 individuals (14 to the Courtyard Transitional Center, 2 to Bridges at Kraemer Place, 1 to the Orange County Armory Emergency Shelter Program, 10 to non-County shelters)

Per the number of tents, we estimate approximately 30 percent of the tents had been removed or relocated as of Wednesday.

The County of Orange is complying with the court order issued February 6, and project operations still permissible according to the court order are continuing. Additional information on the project will be shared as it becomes available.

Real-time notification of and access to the locations of officer-involved shootings

Private briefings on major incidents, including access to body-worn camera footage

Publishing of statistics on officer-involved shootings, uses of force, complaints and outcomes

Receiving community complaints and concerns and referring them to Anaheim’s city manager, Anaheim Police or our independent police auditor for review and response

Board members will be selected by lottery, with one representative from each of Anaheim’s six City Council districts and one selected from the city at large.

Members must reside in the district they are representing, other than the at-large member who can live anywhere in Anaheim. They must also pass a background check and adhere to confidentiality in ongoing investigations.

The board will meet monthly with support from the city manager’s office and OIR Group, Anaheim’s independent law enforcement consultant since 2007. Applications will be posted soon.

]]>http://newanaheim.com/2018/02/09/police-review-board-seeking-applicants/feed/01057065http://newanaheim.com/2018/02/09/police-review-board-seeking-applicants/Anaheim bookkeeper gets one year in jail for embezzling over $1.3M from two law firmshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewAnaheim/~3/b7qaeJlguWc/
http://newanaheim.com/2018/02/07/anaheim-bookkeeper-gets-one-year-in-jail-for-embezzling-over-1-3m-from-two-law-firms/#respondWed, 07 Feb 2018 22:11:23 +0000http://newanaheim.com/?p=1057053ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A bookkeeper was sentenced to a court offer of one year in jail and five years of formal probation yesterday of embezzling over $1.3 million from two law firms and issuing unauthorized checks for her own benefit. The People objected to the court offer at the sentencing.

Defendant: Shawna Renee Barretto, 43, Anaheim

Pleaded guilty on June 20, 2017, to the following felony counts:

(22) Computer access fraud

(21) Falsifying records

(7) Grand theft

(2) Identity theft

Theft from elder

Sentencing Enhancements

Aggravated white collar crime over $500,000

Property loss over $1.3 million

Court Offer:

365 days in county jail

(Credit for Time Served: two years in county jail)

Five years of formal probation

Ordered to pay $1.3 million in restitution

Circumstances of the Case

Between 2005 and 2012, Barretto worked as a bookkeeper and an office manager for two law firms and embezzled over $1.3 million from the law firms through deceptive record-keeping.

Barretto made unauthorized payments to her personal credit card accounts and opened credit card accounts in the law firms’ names.

The defendant hid those fraudulent payments by entering false entries in the law firms’ computer-based accounting records and used accounts to make payments on personal expenses including her children’s private school tuition, golf club memberships, and other unauthorized expenses.

On May 12, 2012, an employee in one of the law firms was reviewing past bank records and discovered discrepancies in the financial records, including unauthorized checks, and reported it to the Irvine Police Department, who investigated this case.

Prosecutor: Deputy District Attorney Tina Patel of the Major Fraud Unit

At approximately 8:00 p.m. on July 14, 2014, Cabrera was driving a black Nissan westbound on the 91 Freeway in Anaheim.

The defendant drove up next to a Ford F-150 pickup truck and shot at the passenger side window of the truck, where 32-year-old victim Agustin Villegas was seated.

At the time of the crime, the victim’s brother-in-law was driving Villegas’ vehicle and the victim’s13-year-old son and 15-year-old nephew were in the backseat.

The defendant murdered Villegas by shooting him in the head and then fled from the scene. The victim and the defendant did not know each other.

Anaheim Police Department (APD) officers responded to the scene and located a .357 shell casing.

On July 15, 2014, a witness contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to report additional information.

APD arrested Cabrera on July 31, 2014. At the time of his arrest, the defendant possessed approximately one pound of cocaine inside his residence and a .357 semi-automatic handgun inside his black Nissan.

The Orange County Crime Lab conducted forensic analysis and determined the shell casing located on the 91 freeway on July 14, 2014, was fired from the defendant’s .357 semi-automatic handgun.

]]>http://newanaheim.com/2018/01/24/anaheim-man-convicted-in-91-freeway-drive-by-shooting-murder-case/feed/11057034http://newanaheim.com/2018/01/24/anaheim-man-convicted-in-91-freeway-drive-by-shooting-murder-case/Man gets more than 23 years in prison for trying to murder a prostitute in Anaheimhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewAnaheim/~3/kYrE1uaZDsA/
http://newanaheim.com/2018/01/23/man-gets-more-than-23-years-in-prison-for-trying-to-murder-a-prostitute-in-anaheim/#respondWed, 24 Jan 2018 06:46:27 +0000http://newanaheim.com/?p=1057029ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Each year, January 11 marks National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and the entire month of January serves as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Month to increase exposure and raise awareness in honor of human trafficking victims.

Members of the OCHTTF and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) work proactively each day to protect women and minors from falling victim to commercial sexual exploitation. OCHTTF is a partnership between Anaheim Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Costa Mesa Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Irvine Police Department, Newport Beach Police Department, OCDA, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Ana Police Department, and community and non-profit partners.

To read more about California’s anti-human trafficking Proposition 35 and the OCDA’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit, please visit www.orangecountyda.org and select Human Trafficking Information from the Media Center drop down menu.

]]>http://newanaheim.com/2018/01/23/man-gets-more-than-23-years-in-prison-for-trying-to-murder-a-prostitute-in-anaheim/feed/01057029http://newanaheim.com/2018/01/23/man-gets-more-than-23-years-in-prison-for-trying-to-murder-a-prostitute-in-anaheim/Anaheim readies for river trail clearing with added homeless resources, stepped up parks presencehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewAnaheim/~3/iWTtyd-YlWU/
http://newanaheim.com/2018/01/19/anaheim-readies-for-river-trail-clearing-with-added-homeless-resources-stepped-up-parks-presence/#respondSat, 20 Jan 2018 01:13:29 +0000http://newanaheim.com/?p=1057027Anaheim is ready for the pending clearing of the Santa Ana River Trail with extra help for those living in homelessness as well as additional resources for residents, businesses and neighborhoods concerned about the winding down of encampments.

As Anaheim has done since 2014, we will continue providing weekly homeless outreach services with City Net and the Anaheim Homeless Collaborative, a collection of more than 100 groups working together to address homelessness.

Since 2014, Anaheim and City Net have helped transition nearly 900 people out of homelessness.

As the county of Orange works to clear the river trail in coming weeks, the Anaheim Police Department’s homeless outreach and community policing teams will step up their outreach across the city to offer help and services to those who are homeless as well as ensure residents and businesses are safe.

Plans to address the county’s initial clearing of the river trail on Jan. 22 include:

• Adding new security patrols at city parks and other public spaces seven days a week during peak hours and in the evening and overnight
• Increasing City Net outreach and offering resources including hotel vouchers and travel expenses for family reunification
• Working with City Net to connect with those along the river trail and continuing to offer them assistance as they leave the area
• Continuing to work with the county of Orange to offer housing and mental health resources for those in need
• Standing ready to help residents and businesses that encounter issues and enhancing ways in which the community can relay issues to the city
• Ensuring that everyone continues to feel safe and welcome in our parks, libraries and other public spaces

Residents and business owners needing assistance can submit a request through Anaheim Anytime, at Anaheim.net/AnaheimAnytime, and will receive a quick response.

Those who would like to help, donate or get involved in addressing homelessness can call City Net at (714) 451-6198.

Anyone who needs homeless services can also call City Net for help.

For more information on what we’re doing to address homelessness, visit Anaheim.net/homeless.

ABOUT ANAHEIM — Anaheim is a full-service city supporting more than 358,000 residents, 20,000 businesses and 25 million annual visitors. The city provides public safety through the Anaheim Police Department and Anaheim Fire & Rescue, water and power service through Anaheim Public Utilities, parks, community centers, family services and libraries through Anaheim Community Services, neighborhood and transportation improvements through Anaheim Public Works and community revitalization through Community & Economic Development. Anaheim is a modern, diverse city with a proud history dating back to its 1857 founding. Anaheim is known worldwide as the home of the Disneyland Resort, including Walt Disney’s original Disneyland Park, as well as Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Angels Baseball, Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks, and the Anaheim Convention Center, the largest on the West Coast. Anaheim’s thriving visitor industry and business community help support the city’s neighborhoods and make Anaheim a great place to live, work and play. For more, please see www.anaheim.net.

The fair is open to the public, and attendees will have access to representatives from Orange County school districts,
public charter schools, home school and on-line learning organizations. The goal: to help families understand the public
school options for their children.

“School choice is all about giving parents access to the best K-12 education options for their children,” said Cecilia
“Ceci” Iglesias, president of the Orange County Parent Union. “Our annual fair is a forum for local school districts and
public charter schools to talk with students and parents about those options.”

Both district schools and charter schools are free public schools that provide education options to Orange County
families.

“MainPlace Mall is dedicated to serving our local community, and we’re thrilled to host this very important event for
Orange County families,” said Debbie Porter, director of marketing at MainPlace Mall. “With so many great resources
available at the School Choice Info and Enrollment Fair, it’s our hope that parents will collect a ton of useful information
after exploring all public school options, enabling them to find the perfect fit for their child.”

High-performing district schools and public charter schools offer longer school days, personalized learning programs,
project-based learning, and such specialized curriculum as college prep, arts, or Science/Technology/Engineering/Math
(or STEM) focused. Demand for such free, prestigious schools is high. If student applications exceed the number of
available seats, a public lottery is held at each campus to determine enrollment.

ABOUT THE PARENT UNION

The Parent Union, a project of the California Policy Center, is a group of parents working to ensure that every child has
access to quality public education. We believe that when parents choose the best education for their child, students and
communities win.

]]>http://newanaheim.com/2018/01/16/national-school-choice-week-info-and-enrollment-fair-set-for-jan-27-at-the-mainplace-mall-is-locked-national-school-choice-week-info-and-enrollment-fair-set-for-jan-27-at-the-main/feed/01057022http://newanaheim.com/2018/01/16/national-school-choice-week-info-and-enrollment-fair-set-for-jan-27-at-the-mainplace-mall-is-locked-national-school-choice-week-info-and-enrollment-fair-set-for-jan-27-at-the-main/Anaheim man gets life in prison for kidnapping and raping a 14-year-old girl and trying to rape three othershttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewAnaheim/~3/vNJPjJHw3P0/
http://newanaheim.com/2018/01/05/anaheim-man-gets-life-in-prison-for-kidnapping-and-raping-a-14-year-old-girl-and-trying-to-rape-three-others/#respondSat, 06 Jan 2018 06:47:53 +0000http://newanaheim.com/?p=1057019ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was sentenced to life in state prison without the possibility of parole today for kidnapping, forcibly raping, and sodomizing a 14-year-old girl and attempting to kidnap three other victims ages 11 to 16 with the intent to commit sex offenses.

Defendant: Elias Omar Xicotencatl, 26, Anaheim

Found guilty by a jury on Sept. 28, 2017, of the following felony counts:

Forcible rape

Sodomy by force

(3) Attempted kidnapping to commit a sex offense

Assault of a minor with intent to commit sexual offense

Sentencing Enhancement Allegations Found True

(2) Personal use of a deadly weapon

Aggravated kidnapping

Kidnapping

Tying and binding victim

Sentence: Life in state prison without the possibility of parole

Register as a sex offender pursuant to PC 290

Circumstances of the Case

On March 31, 2011, Xicotencatl kidnapped 14-year-old Jane Doe 1, who was walking to Loara High School (LHS) in the city of Anaheim.

The defendant drove Jane Doe 1 to an unknown location, blindfolded and tied the victim’s hands and feet, then forcibly raped and sodomized her.

During the morning of Nov. 9, 2012, as 11-year-old Jane Doe 2 and 12-year-old Jane Doe 3 were walking to Ball Junior High School in Anaheim, Xicotencatl attempted to kidnap the victims with the intent to commit a sex offense.

On July 13, 2013, the defendant attempted to kidnap 16-year-old Jane Doe 4 as she was walking to LHS for cross country practice. Xicotencatl assaulted the victim with the intent to commit a sex offense.

Anaheim Police Department investigated this case and arrested Xicotencatl on July 13, 2013.

*Rapid DNA also used to identify woman who committed arson and vandalism in a vacant Tustin apartment and left cigarettes behind

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) Rapid DNA program quickly provided the identity of a serial burglar who committed two pharmacy burglaries in Irvine and Tustin within 30 minutes of each other. Rapid DNA also identified a woman who burned and vandalized a vacant apartment in Tustin, leaving her DNA behind on cigarettes.

Defendant: Allen Paul Rhodes, 28, Moreno Valley

Charged with the following felony counts:

(2) Second degree commercial burglary

Prior Strike Convictions

Robbery in 2007 in Riverside

Robbery in 2010 in Riverside

Burglary in 2010 in Orange

Maximum Sentence: Eight years and four months in state prison

Court Date: To be determined

Circumstances of the Case

In 2016, Rhodes pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of falsely representing himself to a peace officer and voluntarily provided a DNA sample to the OCDA Local DNA Database as a condition of his sentence.

On Dec. 13, 2017, at approximately 3:00 a.m., Rhodes is accused of shattering the glass front door of Creative Compounding Pharmacy in Tustin.

The defendant is accused of burglarizing the business and attempting to open the cash register.

The Tustin Police Department (TPD) responded to the business after a motion alarm was activated and collected forensic evidence, including swabs of blood found near the shattered glass and the cash register.

Approximately 30 minutes later, Rhodes is accused of gaining entry into Walnut Village Pharmacy in Irvine by shattering a glass window in the storefront.

The defendant is accused of burglarizing the business and stealing several bottles of Promethazine.

The Irvine Police Department (IPD) responded to the businesses security alarm, investigated this case, and found blood at the scene.

The same day, the DNA profile from both crime scene samples were matched to Rhodes’s DNA profile and OCDA Investigators provided IPD with suspect information.On Dec. 21, 2017, Rhodes was charged with the burglaries and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, Rhodes was arrested in Riverside County where he now awaits trial on unrelated charges. The defendant will be transported to Orange County Jail when his Riverside case is resolved.

Defendant: Kiyama Nicola Price, 38, Anaheim

Charged today with the following counts:

Felony:

Arson of structure

Vandalism – Damage over $400

Misdemeanor:

Trespassing

Petty Theft

Maximum Sentence: Six years in state prison

Court Date: To be determined

Circumstances of the Case

In 2010, Price pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and voluntarily provided a DNA sample to the OCDA Local DNA Database as a condition of her sentence.

On Dec. 12, 2017, after 4:00 p.m., Price is accused of entering a vacant apartment on Myford Road in Tustin by breaking a window lock and removing the window screen.

The defendant is accused of vandalizing the apartment by burning holes in the carpet with lit cigarettes, urinating in the bathtub, and leaving trash in various rooms.

Price is further accused of stealing a bucket of tools and cleaning supplies left by maintenance workers earlier that day.

Apartment maintenance employees discovered the damage when they entered the apartment the next day and contacted the Tustin Police Department (TPD).

TPD investigated this case and collected evidence including cigarette butts left in the apartment by the suspect.

On Dec. 27, 2017, the DNA evidence was submitted to the OCDA Rapid DNA program for forensic analysis.

The same day, the DNA profile from the crime scene sample was linked to Price’s DNA profile and OCDA Investigators provided TPD with suspect information.

Price was charged and a warrant was issued for her arrest on Jan. 3, 2018.

Prosecutor: Deputy District Attorney Andrew Katz, DNA Unit

Rapid DNA Program

The Rapid DNA program merges the power of the OCDA Local DNA Database with cutting edge DNA technology to provide investigators with leads, including suspect names, within hours of a crime. The program launched in 2015 and is available to all local law enforcement. The IntegenX RapidHIT 200 DNA instrument, which was validated for use with the assistance of the Orange County Crime Lab (OCCL), can generate a DNA profile from evidence collected at a crime scene in less than two hours. If suitable, that crime scene DNA profile is searched against the Local OCDA DNA Database, which was established in 2007 and is now the largest consensual DNA database in the country. The Rapid DNA program is supported by Proposition 69 funding and is a collaborative effort among the OCDA, OCCL and local law enforcement to harness the power of science and technology to promote justice and enhance public safety.